Banned Number Plates 15/05/2006

A selection of rude number plates have been banned by The Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) because they are too offensive

Rude words such as M1 BUM (my bum) and HO03 KER enter the banned list released under the Freedom of Information Act. The ban covers plates with religious connotations like JE55 USS, references to terrorism such as HA06 MAS (Palestinian group Hamas) and regs which could be traded by far right groups like AU55 WTZ (Nazi death camp Auschwitz) and J1 HAD

It comes after H8 GAY was withdrawn last month because it can be read as "hate gay". Even shorter number plates from the 1930s such as AR53 are being withdrawn. The DVLA said: "We'll withhold any plate that causes offence or embarrassment."